Author Topic: Does the 1:9 twist ruin the Handi 22 hornet? (Read 1884 times)

Brian P. · « **on:** February 17, 2011, 04:24:11 PM »

Good day all!

I joined specifically to learn about the Handi hornets with the new 1:9 twist. I think it's nuts they chose to do this; don't know how much they're saving in production costs by doing this either. Anyways, if anyone has experience with the recent barrels in this twist I'd be very happy to hear about your experiences. Initially, I will only use jacketed bullets but eventually I'll be looking at casting for it. I need to know adverse effects this twist rate will have on both types of bullets and required weight ranges.

Thanks for the help!

----bp

thejanitor · « **Reply #1 on:** February 17, 2011, 06:17:04 PM »

55grain seems to shoot good in my 1-9 twist hornet, (just shot these off hand at 30 or so yards but the group wasn't bad for off hand,) I have some 35 gr Vmax loaded to test but have not shot them yet. Will probably wait till spring to test them. Sorry I don't have much to add. But when I test those it will be off a bench. The guy I got the gun from killed two deer with it with the 45 gr Barnes TSX one was a broadside pass through, broken rib on the way in and broken rib on the way out. Deer went 12 steps, dead deer. I believe the other was a head shot.-thejanitor

Spanky · « **Reply #2 on:** February 18, 2011, 04:41:27 AM »

I've shot deer with my Hornet too. I use 45gr. bullets and shoot 'em through the lungs. It makes 'em real dead.

I'm not sure if the faster twist will bother anything but it probably wasn't necessary with the hornet. Most people don't shoot bullets heavy enough to need a faster twist. Probably just to save the company money by using the same blank as the 223. $:-\$

Spanky

gcrank1 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 18, 2011, 04:50:08 AM »

I would have really liked to have played with 1:9 when I was loading cast for Hornets. The slower velo I loaded at (1450ishfps) and the MUCH better ballistic coefficient of longer than 45gr. bullets would have done what I wanted. This wouldnt be a flat enough shooter for some, but it would have worked for me for 200yd, offhand schuetzen and mild varminting.
So, I ended up going to the 25-20 to get a better BC bullet, and then to the 25-35 in a 1:9ish. Yes, those are not .22 cal., but it is illustrative of the potential of a faster twist in the smaller calibers for sub-sonic (where you need the fast twist to stabilize) through longer, heavier projectiles to do some serious wind bucking.

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #4 on:** February 18, 2011, 07:31:31 AM »

I don't understand it either but am glad mine is the old 1-16 Kurt

dangerranger · « **Reply #5 on:** February 18, 2011, 03:30:40 PM »

I have one in 1 in 16, and one in 1 in 12, the 1 in 12 is the only one that will shoot the lead free bullits. they are long for their weight. Im looking forward to a 1 in 9. hopeing it will shoot the heavier lead frees. I like the hornet for a coyote getter but want to shoot something heavier than a 36gr. DR

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #6 on:** February 18, 2011, 03:53:50 PM »

dangerranger problem I found with the non leads are you can't get them in .223. Kurt

Brian P. · « **Reply #7 on:** February 18, 2011, 04:51:26 PM »

Thanks for all the replies!

I still don't know . . . if I really wanted to shoot 55gr+ bullets I would go with a 221FB. But I guess we still don't know if that heavy of bullet is needed in the 1:9 hornet . . . ??

briannmilewis · « **Reply #8 on:** February 18, 2011, 05:54:41 PM »

Shot 35g-55g in mine...no difference I could see.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 19, 2011, 09:45:37 AM »

IMHO, the 22H shines as a Maxi CF version of the 22WMR; after that I would have gone to a 223 and been good for any distance I have available. The fast twist Hornet doesnt really have the powder capacity to make heavier jacketed bullets do much for you, but for heavier than 45gr. cast bullets with a better BC and, yes, more of a loopy trajectory, and a lot of thwack I could see it work out.
Thing is for me, after 3000+ rounds through 3 different 22H's, mostly cast, I decided that if I wanted to have the option of shooting more of a load then the 223 would do it (and I could always load it down to Hornet ), but I had tired of 22cal. projectiles.
The Hornet requires more delicate case handling too and watch out for streach. I used the Lee Case Length Gauge after every firing of HV loads since it is just so easy to use and keep brass consistent, then the Lee Collet Neck Size Die tuned to 'my' perfect fit. Cases really lasted!

Gohon · « **Reply #10 on:** February 19, 2011, 05:56:39 PM »

I have one of the Handi Hornets with the 1 in 9 twist, at least that is what I'm led to believe. With V-Max and Lil'Gun it shoots like a Lazer with the best performance using the 40 and 45 Grain bullets. The 35 grain V-Max shoots well but not as good as in a little slower twist. 50 and 55 grain V-Max's shot so so but not near as well as one would expect for that twist.

Cast bullets are another matter altogether. So far on the low end working on squirrel loads I've come up with 1.7 grains of Lil'Gun for 1016 fps and 3.8 grains of 2400 for 1260 fps. These are using a 52 grain gas checked Ranch Dog bullet which is the only 22 caliber mold I have. Testing at 30 yards produced 1/2 inch groups. That may not sound impressive but I was shooting with a single sand bag on the hood of my truck and with my shooting ability I'm sure a better shooter with a better rest could clover leaf these shots at 50 yards. Certainly a good squirrel load.

Tomorrow I'll start testing the casts using H-110 and 2400 and see if I can't get something decent around the 1800-2100 fps mark.

Just for general information my favorite load so far with the Handi is the 40 grain V-Max ahead of 12.0 grains of Lil'Gun for 2641 fps. I've been consistently popping crows from my pecan trees at 150 yards and it is instant lights out. I mean they don't twitch even once, just fall dead. I do think a 1 in 12 twist would have been a better choice for the Handi but one has to work with what they get.

jon f · « **Reply #11 on:** February 20, 2011, 01:20:08 AM »

When did they change from 1 in 12 to 1 in 9 " ?

gcrank1 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 20, 2011, 05:55:59 AM »

Excellent, Gohon!

quickdtoo · « **Reply #13 on:** February 20, 2011, 05:59:09 AM »

Quote from: jon f on February 20, 2011, 01:20:08 AM

When did they change from 1 in 12 to 1 in 9 " ?

3yrs ago.

Tim

jon f · « **Reply #14 on:** February 22, 2011, 08:00:57 PM »

Thanks Tim,
I've been thinking of getting a used Hornet . Its serial number starts with HJ. I should be a 1 in 12 being that old.
Here in Australia they are'nt that common and its advertised for $ 325. our dollars are the same value at the moment, so count your blessings. yours are so cheap. you're very lucky.
Regards Jon

Brian P. · « **Reply #15 on:** February 23, 2011, 07:15:11 PM »

Thanks for the replies, especially Gohon, thank you! I guess I'll just have to get one and try it out. The dealer also had some NIB 223's both NEF and H&R. Are they still putting both brands out or are the NEF's of older manufacture? Maybe that NEF has the older, slower twist rate?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #16 on:** February 23, 2011, 08:09:14 PM »

The quit making single shot NEF firearms about 2007 or so, the brand name has been discontinued, other than the name on the frame, there's no difference.

Tim

http://www.hr1871.com/Brandtransition/

Brian P. · « **Reply #17 on:** February 23, 2011, 09:08:25 PM »

Except that they started doing the 1:9 twist in the .224 barrels in 2007. Maybe this NIB NEF is a 1:12?

Darreld Walton · « **Reply #18 on:** February 24, 2011, 04:50:15 AM »

The 1-16 twist of the original hornet came about because the round was developed at Springfield Armory (the US Gov't Arsenal in Massachussets) on modified 1922 Springfield rifles chambered originally in .22 long rifle. Standard twist for a .22 rimfire is 1-16, and the bore comes out at .222, remember the smaller diameter bullets for Hornets? For whatever reason, even the commercial rifles that came out had the same interior dimensions and twist rate. If Winchester had stepped up and put out even a 1-12 twist in the Model 54's with and .224 bore that the Swift had, I believe that all Hornets that followed would've had those specs. But it didn't turn out that way.....
I see the 1-9 twist as a boon! Might not be much of an improvement for the Hornet, but how 'bout a rechamber to .218 Bee or .221 Fireball?......

quickdtoo · « **Reply #19 on:** February 24, 2011, 05:45:23 AM »

Quote from: Brian P. on February 23, 2011, 09:08:25 PM

Except that they started doing the 1:9 twist in the .224 barrels in 2007. Maybe this NIB NEF is a 1:12?

The ONLY way to know is check it per the FAQs, even H&R doesn't know. $:-\$ NIB is relative too, new old stock, accessory barrel fitted to older frame, etc.

Tim

Brian P. · « **Reply #20 on:** February 24, 2011, 12:28:38 PM »

The NEF is new, unfired. That's why I thought it might be pre-2007 manufactured one that just been sitting somewhere all this time. Good point about rechambering. If I did, I would go with an 22 Ackley Bee OR way up to a .219 Improved which could be used with Blue Dot or wide-open-throttle rounds - maybe it would make the Handi a little more handy

I really need a hornet though, as I've sold all my rimfires. Ammunition quality has really been bad since the wars broke out and the costs just adds another kick in the nards. ssooooo . . .